New Delhi, May 19: Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Saturday condemned the BJP for trying to derail the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly and expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court for ordering a floor test.

He also appreciated the apex court's decision to allow live telecast of the proceedings.

"How many moves will the BJP make before the vote of confidence in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly? How many obstacles will they put? First of all, give us 15 days. Second, Anglo-Indian members. Third, secret ballot. Fourth, plotting a pro tem speaker. Fifth, the search is on," he tweeted.

"Thank God that there is Supreme Court," he said, condemning the "lack of faith" among political parties in the top court.

He further questioned that when 221 elected men and women cannot decide on who among them enjoys the majority, how was India a democracy.

"I salute the Supreme Court. Now, let the Congress and JDS MLAs stand by their respective party and uphold the Constitution."

"In Karnataka, what is at stake is not only who will form the government, but who will be loyal to the electorate and uphold the verdict of his/her voters."

"Every trick of the BJP to delay or derail the vote of confidence has been defeated. Now, I am sure the Congress and JD-S MLAs will defeat Yeddyurappa," he said in a series of tweets.

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular dropped their plea questioning Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint K.G. Bopaiah as the pro tem speaker in the assembly, after the apex court allowed live streaming of the floor test to be held at 4 p.m.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Agra, Apr 6 (PTI): A man was arrested for allegedly harassing and touching inappropriately a tourist from the Czech Republic visiting the Taj Mahal, police said on Sunday.

The alleged incident occurred on April 3 and the arrest was made after a thorough investigation, they said.

In a written complaint at the Tourist police station, the woman alleged that she was "touched inappropriately and harassed" while walking along the Shamshan Ghat Road around 1 pm, they added.

The police registered a case and began a probe, deploying multiple teams to nab the accused.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Taj Security) Syed Areeb Ahmed said, "A case was registered on the complaint of the foreign woman. Several teams were deployed to search for the accused. (Footage from) several CCTV cameras covering the area was scanned. After investigation, the accused Karan Rathore was arrested on Sunday."

The woman has identified Rathore as the accused and he has been taken into custody, the officer said.